Goggles



Dec. 31, 1929. n Rown'z 1,741,427

' GOGGLES Filed March 10. 1927 IN V EN TOR.

l W W ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 31, 1 929 outrun STATES PATENT OFFICE EMIL B. MEYROWITZ, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO E. B. MEYROWITZ, INC., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK GOGGLES Application filed March 10, 1927.

My invention'relates to goggles and particularly to the cushions which are a necessary part thereof, and means for attaching the cushions to the goggle frame.

Goggles are an essential part of the equ1pment of many workers in fields where conditions require eye protection. The operators of high speed transportation means, particularly the pilots of high speed aeroplanes, re-

quire goggles for the protection of their eyes against the high wind pressures incident to flying and against small objects in the air. The service requirements of goggles for such users are very severe and very careful designing is essential to meet the requirements satisfactorily. Aside from the requirement of strength in the frame, transparency of the lenses, etc., it is esential that a very soft, carefully fitted cushion be provided between the goggle frame and the wearers face. An excellent cushion has been developed which consists of a soft ring adapted to be positioned between the goggle frame and the face, which ring may be formed of rubber tube, or preferably of sponge rubber, and

which is of different sizes at different portions of its periphery. It is adapted to have the larger portions positioned with respect to the frame in such way that they fit into the hollows in the face alongside the nose, thereby providing a very comfortable cushion which is also durable and which makes a very tight seal between the goggle and the face.

Difficulty has however been encountered in attaching the cushion to the frame. It is essential that the cushion be firmly attached so that it will remain in place under the severe conditions of use. It is also desirable that the cushion shall be readily detachable so that it may easily be fitted to the facial contours of the wearer, and readily adjustable from time to time in order that it may be used by different wearers and may be re-fitted to different types of faces. The ready detachability is desirable for the additional reason that it permits the replacement of cushions after a period of wear, if, as may happen under severe service, the rubber loses a portion of its softness and elasticity, or if it is in- Serial No. 174,133.

jured by any of the many things which may ing different portions of the periphery of different sizes. I provide an attaching lip, which may desirably be an integral part of the cushion member, and which is preferably formed of rubber of a high degree of elasticity, such as the type of rubber compound commonly used for, and known as tread stock. Alternatively the elastic portion may be of the same compoundas the body of the cushion. The goggle frame is desirably made with an outwardly flaring rim over which the elastic attaching lip is adapted to snap and against the face of which the cushion body is supported.

Alternatively the elastic attaching means may be provided in another embodiment by a similar lip, which is desirably stiffened in some convenient way, such as by means of a spring wire or by the incorporation within the attaching lip of a substance which will harden the material of the lip, such as additional sulphur. I then provide a ledge or flange upon the frame of the goggle with which the stiffened lip of the cushion is adapted to cooperate, the stifiened lip being forced past the ledge, into a groove, within which it is held by its own elasticity. The cushion is thus locked to, and firmly attached to the goggle frame. These constructions hold the cushion firmly in place in use, but in either the cushion is readily removed by appropriate pressure upon the cushion, whereafter it may be adjusted in rotative position with respect to the frame, and reattached according to the facial contours of the wearer.

By these constructions I am enabled to provide excellent, thick, shaped, cushions in a goggle which are readily adjusted to bring the thicker portions into the hollows of the wearers face, and when so adjusted are held firmly in place. My cushions are likewise readily adapted to removal from the frame and replacement by other cushions, new or of different character according to the wishes of the wearer. My constructions are shown in the accompanying drawings from which, and the following description, further details and objects will be apparent:

Fig. 1 is a horizontal view, partly in section, of goggles embodying a' preferred form of my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional View of a portion ofthe cushion, frame and holding means of invention;

Fig. 3 is a vertical View of the molded me'ntot a cu'slii'on'ofth'e pneumatic pattern;

Fig; 9-'isa view in section of the goggle frame and eushion-showin the method'of attachment of the alternative embodiment, and

Fig 10sho wsanalternative double lip construction; I

Rief-erii'ngto the figures, provide goggle frames 'or'eye cups 1 and 2, which are held in proper'relatioi'iship' by a cooperating n0se bridge' me'mber' 3'. Suitable head straps,- not shown, are provided, and cushions 4, as indicated. The cushions 4 are desirably made by molding a'mafterial suchas sponge rubber into a rin or'varying'cross section as shown in Fig. ,v'v'here the'rig'ht-hand' portion is shown substantially circular in section and-the'le'fthand portion is" shown wider in section, being approximately oval. Such a cushion is particularly advantageous, since the larger portion fits more satisfactorily within the hollowsofa wearers face adjacent the nose and the" thinner portion fits conveniently against the" sides of his face, thereby making a much more satisfactory and much tighter seal against wind and flying objects.

Suitable lenses, not shown, are provided at thefrontofthe'fiames 1 and 21 The cushions are desirably molded as indicated in Figs. 2' to 6'inclusive, in which 4 represents theflcushion body and 5 represents the atta'c'hinglipbr extension. The cushion body 4 is preferably formed of sponge'rubber compound, such as that produced by the incorporation of ammonium carbonate into the compound. The attaching lip 5 is desirably made an integral part of the cushion and may be formed of the same compound. Iristowever, preferably formed of a more ela'stic'and tougher stock, such as is produced by the compound used for tread stock. Alternatively it is possible to cement the attaching lip to the cushion body by any convenient cementing means. The cushion may be molded in any convenient way, and may be in a circular form as indicated in Fig. 5, or may be molded in the oval form having a curved face as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4. It may desirably be formed-ina. mold. of such shape that the center line of the enlarged portion of the body is inclined to the principal plane of the cushion as shown in Fig. 6, with the attaching lip 5 directed inward; When molded'in this way, the elastic lip obtains a. more substantial hold upon the goggle frame.

Thegoggle frame 1" is desirably equipped with a ledge member or flange 7 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, over which the attaching lip '5 may be stretched The elasticity" of the cushion and lip then produces a gripping. action upon the ledge 7 and the frame 1 wlnch' holds-the cushion firmly inpla'ce. The'e'lasticity of the cushionholdsit in place under the flat side'o'f the 'ledge 7' and thus in proper position for service as a pad betweenthe goggle frame and the wearers face. lVhen so attached, the'cushionqs readily removable forreplacenient by other or new cushions, or for replacement to readjust the larger portions into the hollows of the wearers face. If desired, the cushion may, after beingproperly positioned, be cemented in place by the inclusion of a suitable cement between the metal ofthe'frame land thelip 7, and the rubber of the body 4 and the lip'5.

'llhis'construction' utilizes the characteristic tion 5 molded inte ral therewith which is a: a Th1s means stiffened by a suitable means. may conveniently be the spring wire member 6 which may conveniently be incorporated within the attaching lip in the operation of molding. Alternatively,-the lip'member may be made of hardened rubber, such as that containing a suitable proportion of sulphur to produce a compound which will vulcanize to a still but not brittle condition. Such a compound is readily made an integral part of the cushion. By this construction a stiffened, elastic, integral spring member is formed as a part of the cushion member. A ledge member 9 is provided as a part of the frame 1, as'shown in detail in Figs. 9and 10. The stiffened lip member of the cushion is adapted to cooperate with the" ledge 9 as An alternative shown in the figures, by the forcing of the stiffened lip member 5 within it. The spring effect of the stiffened lip then holds it firmly in place adjacent the ledge, and thereby holds the cushion in place.

' .The ledge member 9 is desirably formed by a reverse bending of the material of the frame 1. In the embodiment shown, the metal is desirably bent outward as at 8 and then reversely bent inward and upward to form the ledge 9. By this means the bent portion forms a flat member which serves to protect the inner end of the frame 1, and in the event that the cushion is displaced, the flat portion contacts with the wearers face rather than the sharp edge. By this means the cushion is held firmly in place against the usual forces encountered in service, and provision is made so that in the event of abnormal conditions acting to displace the cushion, no sharp metal edges or corners are exposed which can make injurious contact with the wearers face.

The cushion member 4 with the lip member 5 and its contained spring 6 may be molded in the proper curved oval form as shown in Figs. 8 and l. When so molded, it is particularly advantageous since it fits readily within the frame, and may still be adjusted by minor changes in the shape of the spring wire. Alternatively, it may be molded in a substantially circular form as shown in Fig. 5 with the spring wire included in the lip in a substantially circular form. The cushion and wire may then be bent tothe proper form by pressure suitably applied. As previously suggested, the lip may alternatively be stiffened by forming it of a rubber compound of a stiffer material than the material of which the cushion body is formed. This may be a rubber compound containing a suitconstruction as shown in Fig. 10, in which the cushion 4 is held in place on the frame 1 bythe lip 5 and the incorporated spring wire 6, cooperating with the ledge 9 on the frame 1. An auxiliary surrounding lip 8 is provided and fitted over the exterior of the frame 1 to aid in positioning the cushion in place and to prevent contact of the edge of the frame 1 with the wearers face, in the event that the cushion 4 is rolled sidewise by usual wind forces or other pressures, acting at angle to the normal.

The lip 8 may also be made elastic and caused to interlock with the frame, thus providing a doubly secure attachment of the readily readjusted to fit equally well the hol lows of another wearers face which ma be differently positioned from the hollows of the first wearers face. Likewise the cushions are conveniently removable for replacement at the end of their useful life, or in the event that they are injured by mischance.

While I have shown several embodiments of the device of my invention in the accompanying description, it is capable of various other modifications therefrom without departing from the spirit thereof, and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations shall be imposed thereon as are required by the prior art or indicated by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A goggle comprising a tubular eye cup having a flange extending at an angle to the tubular portion and a ring shaped cushion of elastic material, the body of said cushion having a continuous extension of elasticity difierent from that of the body portion and elastically engaging said flange with the cushion in posit-ion with its body portion in rear of said flange.

2. A goggle comprising a tubular eye cup having a flange extending at an angle to the tubular portion and a ring shaped cushion, the body of said cushion having a continuous extension and a spring wire embedded within said extension, said extension elastically engaging said flange with the cushion in position with its body portion in rear of said flange.

3. A goggle comprising a tubular eye cup having a flange extending at an angle to the tubular portion and a ring shaped cushion of sponge rubber, the body of said cushion having a continuous elastic extension elastically engaging saidflange with the cushion in position with its body portion in rear of said flange, said extension being of different elasticity from that of the cushion.

l. A goggle comprising a tubular eye cup having at its rear internal and external flanges forming an extended bearing surface and a ring shaped cushion, the body of said cushion having a continuous elastic extension of greater stiffness than the material of thecushion elastically engaging one of said flanges with the cushion in position with The cushions V lea its body portion 'in :r'e'arof said *loearing surface.

5. Agoggle comprising atubulareye cup having at its rear internal and external flanges forming an -extendedbearing surface and-a ring shaped cushion, the body-ofsaid cushion having oppositely disposed continuous elastic extensions elastically engaging said respective flanges andsecuring the cushion thereto with its "body ,portion in meal of said bearing surface.

(5. A goggle comprising atubulareye cup having a flange extending at an angle to the tubular portion and a ring-shapedcushion, the body-of said cushion having-a continuous elastic extension ofgreater'stiffness than the material of the body portion, said extension elastically engaging said flange and securing the cushion thereto in position with its-body portion in rear of said flange.

7. A goggle comprlsinga tubul-areye cup, a flange extending laterally therefrom and formed-with a forwardly openingrecess,-and a ring shaped cushion having a continuous stiffened elastic extension 'in'said recess in engagement with the-wall-thereof.

8. A goggle comprising a tubular eye-cup, a flange extending inwardly therefrom and formed with a forwardly opening recess, and a ring shaped cushion liavingacon-tinuous stiffenedel-asticextension in said recess in engagement withthe wall thereof.

9. A- goggle comprising a tubular eye'cup, a flange extending laterally therefrom and formedwith a forwardly opening recess, and a ring shaped cushion having a continuous extension, and a spring wire embedded there in, said extension being within said recess and in engagement with thewall-thereof.

10. A goggle frame comprising a tubular eye cup the rear'portion of which is bent outwardly at anobtuse angle to the eye cup andthen inwardly beyond the first bend ,at an acute angle to'theeye cup, to form awide bearing surface.

11. A goggle comprising a tubulareye cup having an inwardly extending flange anda ring-shaped cushion having a continuous extension containing a spring wire, said extension engaging said flangeto securethe cushion thereto in position with its body portion in rear of said flange.

12. A goggle cushion comprising an annular'bodyhaving an annular extension containing a spring wire.

13. A goggle cushioncomprising a flexible annularbodyhaving.avpair of annular elastic extensions at different distances from its center, theinnermost ofsuch extensions being stiffened.

1a. A goggle cushion comprising an annular .body having 1 a pair of annular elastic extensions at. different, distances from its cen- 

